Council approves 90‑day extension for Shallow Woods developer after debate over utilities and DOT delays

Councilors voted on first reading to amend a development agreement with Century Communities Southeast LLC for the Shallow Woods project, approving a 90‑day extension of the agreement’s effective date to allow the developer to finish outstanding items tied to SCDOT and Lancaster County Water and Sewer reviews. Planner staff described the agreement clause that would automatically terminate the deal if the deed was not recorded by 06/30/2026.

The applicant told the council that recent SCDOT changes to intersection improvements and evolving force-main alignment requests from Lancaster County Water and Sewer produced a sequence of plan resubmissions and additional consulting work that made meeting the June 30 deadline unlikely. The applicant said, "We're simply asking for a little additional time to finish the process properly." Councilors divided over repeated extension requests; one councilor urged a firm final extension limit while another said staff could move the process forward. On the final vote to approve first reading as amended, council voted 4–2 in favor.

Staff noted that if the deed conveying property is not recorded and clocked in by the county administrator by 06/30/2026, the development agreement could terminate automatically under section 5.19; staff advised council of remaining outstanding review items. Staff and the applicant agreed to continue coordination with SCDOT and the water-and-sewer district to avoid further delays.

Provenance: discussion and motions appear in the meeting record from the ordinance introduction (first reading) through the applicant's remarks and the council's final vote.